Willie Dyson Gets Ready for Freshman Year

Chris Monter

08/09/2006

Willie Dyson, a 6-foot-3 freshman defensive end from Ballwin (MO) Kirkwood, ranked as the 39th-best overall defensive end in the nation by Scout.com last year. He was named all-city, all-county, all-conference, all-area and all-state in 2004 and 2005. GoldenSports.Net recently caught up with Dyson to learn about his expectations for the season.

Dyson has worked hard in the offseason with the hopes of getting on the field as a freshman for Minnesota.

Now that you are at the university, how have things been compared to what you thought?

"Like everyone says, it is a big transition. There are a lot of things different. The speed. The size of the players. The time and commitment that you have to put into every day. In high school, you can take a couple days off, but in college you have to come 110% every day. "

You look a lot bigger than when I saw you last. What do you weigh now?

"I believe 246."

What is the goal that you would like to have for this year weight-wise?

"250."

What are your expectations as a freshman?

"If the opportunity comes, I'd like to try to contribute as a freshman to the University of Minnesota. Anything I can do. It does not matter what position. Anything I can do to help us win is the key."

They have a new coaching staff on the defensive end, which means that everyone is on the same keel. Has that helped knowing that everyone is in the same boat, trying to learn a new system and schemes?

"I don't know if it helps, but it relaxes me a little bit, because I know that everyone is trying to learn the same thing that I am, so I feel that I am at an even level with everybody else It is just a matter of how can pick it up the fastest as well as execute."

Were you here for summer school?

"I've been here since June 10. I feel a lot better. I finally got myself acclimated, so it is less stressful. I can now just sit back, relax and get my mind right to play some football."

How did school go?

"School is good. I passed all my classes and just looking forward to getting on the field and showing this program what I can do."